FRIENDS of a 17-year-old youth arrested over the savage murder of a North Wales pensioner last night spoke of their shock.

FRIENDS of a 17-year-old youth arrested over the savage murder of a North Wales pensioner last night spoke of their shock.

One described the teenager from Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, as a bit of a loner and said he thought he had been bullied at school.

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remained in custody at Caernarfon police station last night after police were granted permission to question him further over the murder of 90-year-old Mabel Leyshon.

Mrs Leyshon was found stabbed to death at her bungalow in Lon Pant on November 25. Her heart had been cut out and two pokers were placed near the body in the shape of a cross.

One 16-year-old boy, who used to be in his technology class at an Anglesey school, said: "He was friendly with me. In my opinion he is not the type of guy to do this type of thing.

"My ex-girlfriend was at the Octagon in Bangor that night and she saw him catching a taxi at 12.30am back to Llanfairpwll".

The boy was last night sticking to his belief in his friend's innocence.

He added: "He is good at art. But his pictures were a bit weird. He would draw pictures of knives, guns, daggers and machetes".

He added: "At first I did not like him as a mate. But as soon as I got to know him properly in the 5th form, he was OK.

"Inside, I don't know what he is like. I only know him face to face."

Another teenager said: "I guess he was in the same class as me about four or maybe five years ago. He was a bit of a loner and didn't mix much. I think he may have been the target of some bullying."

Another stunned friend said: "I am surprised. He was not a loud mouth, he would not shout and was quite quiet. He was not a violent lad, he was never fighting. He is quite thin and tall. Everyone has said that he was good at art."

A teenage girl added: "He is a nice lad, he's sound. He kept himself to himself. I used to get the bus and he would get on with his tool box with all sorts of paints inside."

The suspect's former girlfriend was last night said to be too upset to discuss the arrest.

The 14-year-old girl from Llanfairpwll went out with the youth for around two months until a year ago.

The youth's mother and her partner were described as a "cracking couple" by drinkers at a Llanfairpwll pub last night.

Regulars said they were shocked at the arrest of the 17-year-old and hoped the police had got it wrong.

One said: "I feel great sympathy for him mum tonight. I honestly hope the police have made a mistake. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."

The youth had completed his GCSE courses at Ysgol David Hughes in nearby Menai Bridge.

Headteacher Brian Jones said he could make no comment about the youth after receiving advice from senior Anglesey Council education officers.

Students at the school recalled the youth as being quiet and with his own small circle of friends.

One said: "He was a bit weird in his own way but he was quiet and kept himself to himself."